A number of Premier League clubs are reportedly opposing the Champions League wildcards plans which UEFA has mapped out for the 2024/25 season onwards. UEFA are set to introduce sweeping changes from the aforementioned season which will see added Champions League spots for teams with historic success in European football competitions.
It will leave the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham considering what it would mean for them if they were to finish in the top four and also if they don't.
The announcement comes after the attempted European Super League plans of last year, the governing body of European football appears to have moved to appease those elite clubs that attempted to break away. President Aleksander Ceferin is set to approve the move with a number of Premier League teams reportedly opposing the decision.
READ MORE: All the Champions League changes UEFA will introduce from 2024 onwards
The rules would see UEFA offer two Champions League wildcards from 2024 onwards, which will be awarded by historical success in Europe - giving teams who do not finish in the top spots a wildcard spot..
According to Sky Sports, a number of Premier League clubs fear it's 'introducing a form of European Super League by the back door'. As an example of how this would work from 2024 onwards, if Chelsea were to fall out of the top four this season, then they would still likely earn a Champions League spot.
This is because they rank fourth on UEFA's ten-year club coefficients list - after winning the competition last year as well as in 2012. Alternatively, West Ham would not be given a Champions League spot if they were to finish fifth - unlike Chelsea - as they rank low on UEFA's list.
Sky Sports News also reported that all 20 Premier League clubs unanimously asked league officials in 2021 to oppose UEFA's proposal for wildcard places.
Chelsea currently stand to benefit most, ranking 4th overall behind only Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Whilst Arsenal rank at 11th, surprisingly above Liverpool who have been to two Champions League finals within the last five years. Spurs meanwhile rank at 19th.
West Ham are ranked down at 90th behind Southampton, Wolves and even Burnley!
Where English teams rank in the ten-year coefficient list
4th: Chelsea
8th: Man City
9th: Man Utd
11th: Arsenal
14th: Liverpool
19th: Tottenham
85th: Leicester
86th: Wolves
87th: Burnley
88th: Everton
89th: Southampton
90th: West Ham
91st: Hull
92nd: Swansea
93rd: Wigan
94th: Newcastle
95th: Stoke
96th: Birmingham
97th: Fulham
*Teams in top 100
